Holiday Celebration
Thanksgiving Celebration
Children without a home don't have the support of family around them. Usually they do not get to celebrate holidays like the rest of us. Therefore, the Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee with many friends and neighbors sponsor foster care group homes for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with entertainment and prizes at an undisclosed secure location.
Generally a 60+ volunteer team prepares and serves a sit down traditional meal of turkey, three sides, dinner rolls with butter, pecan, pumpkin or apple pie with whipped cream, and a beverage. Side dishes vary, depending on the chefs: mashed potatoes and gravy, turkey dressing, green bean or corn casserole, sweet potatoes-yams, fruit salad or green salad with dressing. Lemonade, sparkling cider and soda pop are popular, depending on the donor.
In the past local and state police officers help out. A DJ pumps up the energy and the Arizona Cardinals provide entertainment.
Please join the team to make Thanksgiving so very special. This is a beautiful and memorable event for all - kids sit around a table, enjoying turkey and all the trimmings - while feeling cared for, special, and loved.
Please email info@ahwatukeekiwanis.org for more information.
Support Our Youth
We depend on community support for a location, security, chefs, food, beverages, desserts, a DJ, special guests, 60+ event volunteers, and holiday themed table settings for our foster kids and their chaperones. Please contact us if you are interested in supporting this highly popular Valley-wide event.
Joyful Moments for Foster Kids
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our partners, donors, and the 80+ volunteers who contributed to the resounding success of our 12th Annual Foster Youth Thanksgiving event.
Special thanks to our heroes:
- Our undisclosed Valley location, pastor, lay leader, staff, facilities, and pie bakers
- Texas Roadhouse Product Coach Department and their volunteers from AZ, KY, and CO
- Mesa police officers
- NFL Alumni
- Pie donors from the churches
- 7th Dream Helping Hearts
- Boys Team Charity Ahwatukee
- Unique Investment Advisors
- Swanke-Batson
- And others who contributed to this great event.
Join the Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee! We are encouraging improvement, one child at a time.
Building Community Through Service
Recognizing a Local Champion
Celebrating Our Community Hero
Stacy Rasmussen is being honored for her years of dedicated service as Chair of Kiwanis Foster Youth Thanksgiving. Stacy's leadership and commitment have played a crucial role in ensuring hundreds of foster kids experience the joy of Thanksgiving - an opportunity they might not have had without her guidance and care.